České filmové pohádky
Czech Film Fairy Tales
A cornerstone of the Czech Christmas: the tradition of TV fairy tales, from the beloved 1973 'Three Wishes for Cinderella' to the new film premiered each Christmas Eve — gentle, witty stories where heroes are clever ordinary folk and even the devils aren't truly evil.
You will practice: Superlatives (nejdůležitějším, nejslavnější), the instrumental with tím, že and in the predicate (obrovským hitem), the reflexive stěžují si, and pokud for conditions.
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- sledováníwatching, viewing
- pohádkafairy tale
- tradicetradition
- vánočníChristmas (adjective)
- kinematografiecinema, film-making
- natáčenífilming, shooting
- filmfilm, movie
- hithit
- temnýdark
- strašidelnýscary, spooky
- humorhumour
- hrdinahero
- princeznaprincess
- čertdevil, imp
- peklohell
- dušesoul
- obrazovkascreen
- cukrovíChristmas sweets, biscuits
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. When do Czechs especially watch fairy tales?
2. What is the most famous Czech fairy-tale film?
3. How do Czech fairy tales differ from some foreign ones?
4. How are devils usually portrayed in Czech films?
5. What happens on Christmas Eve on state television?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Czech reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.